Maddy summaryHB 4251, the "District Library Freedom to Read Act," requires Michigan district libraries to establish clear policies for selecting and removing materials from their collections. It prohibits libraries from removing books or media based on protected characteristics (like race, religion, or viewpoint) or the material's subject matter, except if a court deems it obscene. The bill mandates that libraries adopt compliant policies within 90 days, including procedures for residents to request reconsideration (with requirements like verifying they’ve read the material) and restrictions on how often the same material can be challenged. Violations can be addressed through legal action by the attorney general or residents. This directly affects public district libraries under Michigan law, excluding school or special libraries.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis resolution directs the Clerk of the House to present nine specific bills - passed by both legislative chambers in December 2024 and "enrolled" (formally prepared for the Governor) - to the Governor. It follows a court ruling (February 2025) that confirmed Michigan’s Constitution requires all passed bills to be presented to the Governor within 14 days, rejecting the House’s prior refusal to act. The resolution overrides a previous House attempt (Resolution 41) to delay this process and mandates immediate compliance with the court’s order. It affects the House Clerk, Governor, and the nine bills’ legislative timeline, ensuring they can proceed toward becoming law.
Maddy summaryHB 4060 amends Michigan's school code to update rules for funding area career and technical education (CTE) programs through local property taxes. It sets specific millage limits: new programs can levy up to 1 mill, while existing programs can increase to 1.5 times their 1993 rate (with elector approval only for new increases). The bill requires school districts to audit and publicly post CTE fund usage online, mandates repayment if funds are misused, and defines allowable CTE program expenses to include inter-district contracts. These changes directly affect intermediate school districts operating CTE programs and ensure tax dollars are used solely for designated career education purposes.
Maddy summaryThis resolution declares March 2025 as Disability Awareness Month in Michigan. It symbolically recognizes the contributions of people with disabilities and encourages Michigan residents, businesses, and institutions to improve accessibility and support disability rights. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal acknowledgment of ongoing efforts to promote inclusion, aligning with the state's commitment to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic House resolution (not a law) introduced in Michigan. It formally supports the U.S. Supreme Court's *Obergefell v. Hodges* ruling, which established same-sex marriage as a constitutional right. The resolution reaffirms that marriage should be defined by constitutional principles like equality and due process, not by historical or religious definitions. It specifically references Michigan's state constitution (Article I, Section 25) as conflicting with the *Obergefell* decision. The resolution has no legal effect and does not change any existing laws or policies.
Maddy summaryHB 4228 requires Michigan's Department of State Police and its Office of School Safety to provide annual training to all school staff, school resource officers, and school safety personnel in public and nonpublic schools. The training covers key safety topics including threat assessment protocols (based on the Secret Service's guidelines), de-escalation techniques, emergency response procedures, cultural competence, mental health services, and legal authority in school settings. It also mandates specific legal training from the Attorney General's office on officers' authority and security personnel limitations. The bill directly affects every school employee in Michigan by establishing standardized safety training requirements.
Maddy summaryHB 4194 removes the requirement for non-U.S. citizens to prove legal presence in Michigan to obtain a state identification card. This change directly affects non-citizen residents who currently need to submit immigration documents to apply for a state ID. The bill amends Michigan law to eliminate this verification step, allowing eligible non-citizens to access state IDs without proving immigration status. The policy change applies only to state ID cards, not driver's licenses or other documents.
Maddy summaryHB 4196 amends Michigan's Enhanced Driver License and ID Card Act (MCL 28.305) to update how personal information is handled for applicants. It specifies that facial images and signatures collected for these IDs may only be shared with law enforcement agencies, other states (as required by federal law), or with an individual's written consent, while prohibiting disclosure of Social Security numbers on the card itself. The bill also clarifies retention rules for facial images (1 year unless fraud is suspected) and strengthens privacy protections by restricting disclosure of sensitive documents. This directly affects Michigan residents applying for enhanced driver licenses or official state ID cards, ensuring their biometric data and personal information are used only under defined, limited circumstances.
Maddy summaryThis resolution symbolically designates March 9-15, 2025, as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week in Michigan. It recognizes the impact of multiple sclerosis on Michiganders (affecting nearly 1 million people nationwide) and encourages public awareness and support for those living with the disease. The resolution does not create new policies or allocate funds - it is a formal declaration by the Michigan House to highlight the work of the National MS Society and its local support groups.
Maddy summaryHB 4175 modifies Michigan's high school diploma requirements by adding specific course credits students must complete. It requires all students graduating after 2023 to complete a half-credit personal finance course (fulfilling part of math, arts, or language requirements), while maintaining existing requirements for 4 math credits (including algebra I, geometry, and algebra II), 3 social science credits (including U.S. history and geography), 1 health/PE credit, and 1 arts credit. The bill also mandates two credits in a language other than English (including American Sign Language) for all students by graduation, with schools encouraged to offer language courses in early grades. These changes directly affect Michigan high school students and school districts responsible for implementing diploma standards.